Cuba expresses solidarity with Venezuela following US sanctions
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The Cuban Foreign Minister says the United States insists on the use of unilateral coercive measures against the Bolivarian nation.
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Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez gives a press conference in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed Havana's solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government after Washington's decision to reimpose oil and gas sanctions.
The United States began reinstating sanctions on Venezuela and its mining sector after the country's Supreme Court maintained the disqualification of an opposition leader in the Venezuelan elections.
On X, Rodriguez conveyed Cuba's rejection of the "interventionist actions" and threats of the US government toward Venezuela.
He also mentioned that the United States insists on the use of unilateral coercive measures against the Bolivarian nation.
Rechazamos las acciones injerencistas y las amenazas del gobierno de EEUU hacia #Venezuela, que insiste en la utilización de medidas coercitivas unilaterales contra la nación bolivariana.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) January 30, 2024
Toda nuestra solidaridad con el hermano pueblo y gobierno venezolanos.
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control released a statement on Monday detailing the decision, saying all US-based companies cooperating with state-owned Venezuelan mining firm Minerven should draw their partnerships to a close by February 13.
The US had warned Caracas last week that some sanction relief that was granted in the elections deal between both countries would be stopped if a "violation" was made.
This deal involved providing relief from energy sanctions on the Venezuelan government in exchange for implementing measures to open up the electoral process, including permitting European Union observers and establishing a procedure to lift bans on top opponents, allowing for a more equitable political environment.
However, on Friday, the Venezuelan Supreme Court sustained a 15-year-old ban on Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader who had won an opposition primary in October, and invalidated her replacement's candidacy, Henrique Capriles, who ran twice for presidency before.
The move prompted the US to reinstate some sanctions amid deprecation with Venezuela's decision to sideline Machado.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday that agreements with the opposition over the country's 2024 presidential election were "mortally wounded" after government authorities announced foiling plots to assassinate him.
Arrests of more than 30 people -- both civilians and soldiers -- have been announced in recent days for participation in "five alleged conspiracies" since last year, which authorities said were instigated by US intelligence services and the Colombian army.
Following the latest arrests, Maduro said Thursday that an agreement reached between the government and opposition last year in Barbados to hold free and fair elections in 2024 with observers present had been dealt a great blow.
"The Barbados agreements are mortally wounded," he said during a televised address, adding, "I declare them in intensive care, they were stabbed, they were kicked."
"I hope we can save the Barbados accords and advance the dialogue to achieve major national consensus agreements... without plans to assassinate me, assassinate us or spread violence in the country," Maduro said.
Venezuela on Tuesday slammed Washington's decision and threatened to halt deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants who are in the United States illegally.
"All of Venezuela rejects the rude and improper blackmail and ultimatum expressed by the US government," Vice President Delcy Rodriguez wrote on X.
Venezuela toda rechaza el grosero e indebido chantaje y ultimátum manifestado por el gobierno de EEUU. Si dan el paso en falso de intensificar la agresión económica contra Venezuela, a pedido de los extremistas lacayos en el país, a partir del 13 de febrero quedarían revocados de… https://t.co/cLo5Di2Dck
— Delcy Rodríguez (@delcyrodriguezv) January 30, 2024
"If they take the wrong step of intensifying the economic aggression against Venezuela... as of February 13 repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants would be immediately cancelled."
